If you’re looking for some inspiration for your travels, these are the top destinations I have picked out, and the reasons why I think you’ll like them.
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Koh Samui, Thailand
The New York Times put Koh Samui on its list of best places to visit in 2025, since White Lotus season three was filmed there. I’ve to be honest, I only got part way through this season, but fans will want to head to Anantara Lawana Resort in Chaweng, with its dreamy accommodations and private infinity pools – and the good thing is they won’t break the bank.
I am hosting a tour to Thailand soon – and we won’t be doing it backpacking style! In fact, happily Thailand is still an affordable destination, especially for those of us not throwing US dollars over our shoulders.
My plan is four luxurious nights in Bangkok (which is on CNN’s list of the best places to visit in 2025), staying in the luxurious river front Shangri La Hotel for a bit of exploring, tasting, shopping and a cheeky cocktail. Then down to Koh Samui for four nights at Melia, a beachfront resort, with spa treatments and more immersing into Thai culture and cuisine.
Florence, Italy
I just adore Florence. An absolute highlight is to get up early and go for a walk before the shops open and before the tourists arrive and drink in the views.
Walk along the banks of the Arno River, across the Ponte Vecchio and take amazing photos, then find a cafe in the cathedral square, pay the full €8 to sit down with your cafe latte and a pané chocolat, and pinch yourself!
From April 2025, a new luxury sleeper train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, is clicketty clacking through Italy from Rome to Venice. Three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck has designed the meals on all eight routes. Prices start at €3,500 euros per person for a berth in this luxury train which is inspired glam 1960s and 1970s Italy.
I wrote this post of easy peasy tips for taking great photos with your phone
Cabo, Mexico
I took my second visit to Los Cabos, at the bottom of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, this year. Cabo also made the New York Times best list for 2025. I’ve always said Mexico is seriously underrated by Kiwis!
Los Cabos is anchored by two towns: San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The latter has a lovely marina for whale-watching boat trips, fishing and exploring. It’s also filled with lively bars and great food outlets. The surrounding beach front is dotted with resorts, most of them all-inclusive, which makes holidaying in a group so much easier with no need to split bills.
San Jose del Cabo is about a half-hour drive away and is an historic town with Instagram worthy, colourful buildings and a famous arty scene. Every Thursday from 5pm-8pm all the local galleries spill outside with their wares, there’s music and tequila tasting, shopping, and nice places to eat here too.
After staying there again, for my next visit I’d opt for San Jose del Cabo and stay on the beach but within a taxi ride (or walk if you feel like it) into the old town. I’d then go to Los Cabos just for my water activities.
My top two hotel picks would be Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, all inclusive beachfront resort about ? km from town. Or Viceroy Los Cabos, near Ziva and also beachfront. I love the Viceroy hotels their elegance, and feature the Santa Monica property in my list of best places to stay in LA too.
Ireland
A road-trip in Ireland was one of the most memorable road trips I’ve ever done. You’ll drive through villages that are so quaint you’ll probably stop in the middle of the road to get a photo, and countryside that is so breathtaking you’ll do the same.
The history is gobsmacking for those of us from the “new world”. Castles that are 1000 years old, ancient churches, even stone fences crisscrossing fields will have you marvelling.
And then you get the sounds of Ireland. Everyone over here is musical. Walk into any bar of an evening and there’ll be live music that make your toes tap. It’s all so fiddle-dee-dee and adorable. I can’t wait to go back and am seriously thinking about hosting a tour there sometime. Maybe 2027??
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Rarotonga gets my top pick for best fly-and-flop destination in the South Pacific. It’s small yet perfectly formed, inexpensive yet filled with everything from five-star resorts to locally owned bed and breakfasts or holiday rentals. You can eat at high end restaurants or grab a burger from a pop-up tent at the Muri Night Markets three times a week.
It’s surrounded by a reef, making the snorkelling right off the beach incredible, plus guided turtle snorkelling tours, or propellor snorkelling. Rent ebikes, or just lie by the pool.
I’ve written a post on things to do in Rarotonga for active relaxers, which proviudes lots of ideas for those wanting more than poolside margaritas.
My picks for resorts there are the Nautilus Resort on Muri Beach at the edge of the lagoon. They do the best pinás colada on the island if you ask me. Plus rooms have own private plunge pools, or use the main pool overlooking the beach.
But if the budget won’t stretch quite that far, I’ve stayed two properties in Avarua on the west coast for amazing sunsets and take my tours to them both: Manuia Beach Resort which have lovely villas with wide verandas and a day bed, plus outdoor showers in your own private garden.
And Sunset Resort which has two pools, beach front and poolside villas and both have very good restaurants. This place is another top contender for best piná coladao too, by the way!
New Orleans, MS
My favourite US city features on the New York Times, Forbes, and CNN lists of top destinations in 2025. This year I made my ninth visit to New Orleans – this time for Mardi Gras. But unsually for me, as I hate crowds, I was looking forward to it as I was ON A MARDI GRAS FLOAT!
You can see my pics of behind the scenes at Mardi Gras here.
Santa Monica, CA
My other favourite US city is Santa Monica. The little seaside city on the water’s edge of Los Angeles is also on Forbes and Travel + Liesure’s 2025 lists of top destinations, and turns 150 years old in 2025. Luckily they have not been affected by the horrific fires further north, which have devastated parts of Malibu and of course so much more.
But right now, while Santa Monica has long been a favourite (I’ve stayed over a dozen times), they are needing locals and visitors alike to continue to visit their hotels and frequent their fab restaurants and bars, and show their support by spending time and money there. Oh and the sunsets along here, Venice Beach and Marina del Rey, are epic.
Christmas Markets River Cruise
This had been on my Bucket List for so many years, and some of you will know that I finally got to take a Christmas cruise along the Danube over Christmas 2024. I took a small group tour and off we tootled from about mid-December, then added on a few extra days to spend Christmas Day in Paris.
It was magical, just as I had hoped. My favourite Christmas market was in Vienna, where we also saw a live opera and that was a highlight. I also loved Salzburg, and we got snow in beautiful Prague. It was my first time visiting Prague too, and I loved it. I need to go back in the summer now!
Noteable 2025 Celebrations
Graceland, Memphis : Elvis Presley would be turning 90 in 2025 and the family and staff at Graceland are all over it with new exhibits and tours this year. Last year I took my third tour through Graceland, with a delightful group of Elvis fans on my USA Music Tour. You can have a peek inside at my photos here if you like.
Dollywood, Knoxville : Did you know Dolly Parton has a theme park? Two, in fact. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Well Dollywood turns 40 years old in 2025 – and I’ve just stayed!
Japan is another hugely popular spot for 2025. I am planning on hosting a tour in Japan in November 2026, but I’ll add it after I’ve been.
If you’re interested in any of my tours, jump onto my Blogger at Large Tours page and see the ones that are currently listed.
I also have a private Facebook group, Blogger at Large Tours, which you’re welcome to join too. This is where I pop up ideas and get your feedback before we go ahead and cost up a new tour.
What country or city do you think should be #1 to visit?